Transient (meat eating) Orca are
hanging around between Jervis Inlet and Powell River – at least in
the past few days. They have been very elusive though, being spotted
then disappearing. A few Harbour Porpoises also have been
seen. Reports and a photo from today's encounter below.
Susan MacKay, Whales
and Dolphins BC
Transient
Orca – Killer Whales
April 10:
10:45 am a call came in that 8 to 10
Orca were very slowly headed Northward towards Powell River
from just North of Black Point (also known as Albion Point). No large
male dorsals were spotted. They were zig zagging back and forth
between Texada Island and the mainland. There were some sea lions
tight to the mainland shore heading South.
Bill Taylor
After a few calls to find out if they
had maybe turned again, at 1:40 pm they finally showed up
tight to the Texada shore across from Westview, Powell River.
I watched them as they appeared to have a snack where numerous
Harbour Seals have been hauled out on the rocks. They slowly turned
back towards Grief Point (Powell River) and around 2:45 pm
I caught up to them with the skiff. They were very spread out in
smaller groups that were resting, milling about and a couple of
calves were playfully splashing about all just off of Myrtle
Rocks. With it being so calm and no traffic, I managed to hear
some wonderfully clear communication (vocals) and echolocation
amongst the group of around 10 to 16 Orca. Garry Henkel of
Aboriginal Journeys joined me with his tour all the way from Campbell
River. Our two boats enjoyed the show slowly Southward till we were
just below Brew Bay. We watched the whales continue towards Scotch
Fir Point till around 5:10 pm.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC
Transient Orca T020 just below
Myrtle Rocks
April 10, 2012
Susan MacKay
April 8:
8:50 am 4 Orca including one
large male Northbound towards Powell River from between Myrtle
Rocks and Albion Point. Moving slowly, then picked up the pace.
Bill Taylor
9 am 4 to 6 Orca including 2
large males and a calf just passing Myrtle Rocks heading
Northward moving at a steady pace.
Nina Falls
Harbour
Porpoises
April 8:
(afternoon) A few Harbour Porpoises
were spotted between Savary and Hernando Islands – just off
Baker Pass.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys
Correction:
Photo posted April 3 titled
Minke Whale in Mexico by Janice Parker was actually a Brydes Whale.
They are not seen very often in the North Pacific. They were hunted
by whalers out of Coal Harbour up to the 1960's. My apologies for any
confusion. SM
2012
Charter Cruises
Enjoy a personalized week long
Charter Cruise in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear
Rainforest. Information can be found on the 2012
Charter Cruises pages of Whales
and Dolphins BC.